Random Trade Thread 2024-25

Houston Rockets Trade Breakdown
Change in Team Outlook: -14.7 ppg, -7.8 rpg, and -0.8 apg.
Incoming Players
Jordan Poole
25 year old, 6-4, 194 lb SG from Michigan
20.5 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 4.5 apg in 29.4 minutes in 2024-2025
Outgoing Players
Jalen Green
23 year old, 6-4, 186 lb SG from NBA G League Ignite
21.0 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 3.4 apg in 32.9 minutes in 2024-2025
Jock Landale
29 year old, 6-11, 255 lb C from Saint Mary's
4.8 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 0.9 apg in 11.9 minutes in 2024-2025
Cam Whitmore
20 year old, 6-7, 230 lb F from Villanova
9.4 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 1.0 apg in 16.2 minutes in 2024-2025

 

The health is my big concern. This year was the most games he's played in the last three seasons, and he played in only 47 of 'em. LaMelo is probably better than Jalen on an average night for both players, but you have to give Jalen credit for being available. Ball just... hasn't been.

People talk a lot about how Zion can't stay on the court, but LaMelo Ball has been just as bad, if not worse.

Young falls somewhere in between; 73 games -> 54 games -> 76 games this season.

 

I agree, the health is a big risk. But you have to gamble on something. There's no straight line path for us to being a championship quality team.

I'd rather take that risk than spend premium assets to acquire someone who either a) fundamentally compromises what makes us good now, like Trae does, or b) an older supermax player who isn't truly elite and locks us into a low ceiling, non championship contender path.

 

I, personally, think Trae would be a massive improvement over FVV, at least when considering what we need as a team. Still not in love with the idea, but the concept of a Young-Amen-Sengun core is growing on me. Just need some really good shooting around them.

 

When looking at us last night, it is becoming more and more apparent that we desperately need a consistent creator next to Amen and Sengun. I'm not saying the creation needs to come from a specific position, and maybe one of our young guys will step into that role (I still believe Green can become that guy). But if we do fall in 4 to 5 games, and if no one seems to step up consistently next to Sengun/Amen, I'm getting more comfortable with the idea of a big trade this offseason.

 

The problem I keep running into as I think about this is that a #1 option is probably the hardest thing to trade for. The odds of getting that mindblowing perfect fit, like a Tatum, Ant, etc, are pretty slim. So then you get down to players who, sure, might be an upgrade over Jalen or Fred, but they're not a massive leap, and they're still not going to be the best player in most playoff series.

Top of that pile is still probably Booker, if they are even willing to trade him, but is he on the level of SGA, Jokic, Luka, Curry, or even Ant? I wouldn't say so, personally. The only matchups in this year's playoff bracket where he could arguably be considered the best player in the series (and even then it's debatable) would be vs LAC or vs MEM. On top of that, he's soon to be on the wrong side of 30, while after next season being eligible for a massive, cap-crushing contract.

After that you start to get into Trae Young, LaMelo Ball, Ja Morant, etc. And if we pick up one of those guys I'm going to be annoyed we didn't bid on Fox, because I like Fox better than all of them personally.

 

While you might not consider him a #1, Booker is up there with SGA, Jokic, Luka, Curry, and Ant in his ability to draw a double team. This team could benefit greatly from that. And while Booker isn’t technically available, I wouldn’t be surprised if Phoenix weren’t having a Luka-style one-on-one conversation about it with Houston.

 

whats sad is that u dont even need a real #1, u just need an upgrade. even a guy like jordan poole would look like prime t-mac for us

 

Booker is the literal perfect fit on this team. Issue is that his contract is ridiculous.

I dont think Jalen is getting shipped out this summer regardless of what happens in this series. I think he will be given another running mate or Reed will take the reigns from Fred. FVV has been almost as much of a problem as Jalen has been. If I see the FVV/Jalen backcourt again next year I'll seriously lose my sh*t.

 

I think the upgrade will come from the draft OR is already on the roster. Much the same way Amen couldn’t start (get starter’s minutes) till Jabari got injured. We are loaded with talent and a short rotation doesn’t help the team long term. Stubborn coaching that doesn’t let players develop is the problem. Playing veterans will win more games in the current season but not championships in the future. We need more playing time to build up our whole squad. Coach uses his veterans as a crutch when the long term answer is watching from the sidelines. I know for a fact there are SHOOTERS who can make a difference that just watch the game from the sidelines. That has to be so frustrating for them because they can’t get in the game. The veterans in front of them aren’t as good as they once were but they’re still logging massive amounts time. I’m confident with consistent playing time in the regular season for our youth (5-15 minutes a game) we would have won the game last night. Coach would have been able to trust the players and play them in the game when we need a different style of play. Or when someone is 1 for 10 shooting. No since drafting people if we’re not gonna play them. Wasting the first year on rookie contracts is completely counterproductive.

 

Please stick to your day job smh

 

If Booker was a more reliable 3P shooter he would be the perfect fit. He's been pretty inconsistent.

For me, if I could just pick one player out of the entire NBA, it wouldn't be Jokic or even SGA, I think it would be Tatum. Just a dude you can plug right in and have him finish plays on offense for us while also playing well on the other end. And he just turned 27. And has a great preexisting relationship with Ime. Dude is going to be great for another 5+ years. We have everything else on lockdown, just need a guy who can make some motherf*cking contested shots on the perimeter, without causing problems with our roster construction.

I don't know what this front office is going to do, but I'm a little worried that they're too afraid to murder their darlings. (Writing advice from William Faulkner about how you should cut parts of your book that you love but don't help the overall piece.) I would not be surprised at all if both Jalen and FVV are still on the team next season.

 

Lure away Kyshawn George and Bub Carrington, take a look at Marcus Smart.

 

The thing is, I don't necessarily think you need a "true #1," best player on the floor, 30+ ppg guy. Sengun showed last game that he can step up, and I think Amen could very well develop into the "best player on the floor" without, necessarily, being our #1 scorer.

So, really, I'd love an efficient, consistent 23-25+ ppg scorer who can space the floor and create. Also, I don't want someone with an extensive injury history. The perfect guy would be solid on D, too. Booker falls into that mold. I think Trae can do it, too, though he obviously cuts against our defensive philosophy. And it doesn't necessarily need to be a guard either -- I'd love to somehow land JJJ.

Mind you, I think we need to look at this AFTER our position is set in the draft. There is a 17% chance we jump into the top 4, and if that's the case, I'm definitely make the pick.

 

After seeing Ty Jerome's playoff heroics, I'm wondering if he could be a guy to pursue during the offseason--if not via the MLE (he might be making himself too expensive for that), then perhaps via sign-and-trade. Cleveland can only pay him about MLE money, so he might be gone for them if he commands more than that, which he just might.

Only age 27--he actually has a background as a point guard and a high assist rate per possession, and he has been absolutely lights out as a shooter this season. Solid defender too.

If we decide to pass on bringing FVV back, Jerome might be a younger, cheaper alternative who can play either guard position (if we want to run Amen out there at point guard).

 

This team doesnt need to off Green. They need a genuine alternative and have them compete for the role. Stone (and Ime) basically made an offense that relies on a mercurial shooting guard and point guard in order to function.

My dream offseason:

1) Draft Kon Knueppel (if no Harper/Cooper)
2) Trade Cam + protected pick to Indiana for Ben Mathurin.

 

There are a few guys like that who would help us and might be gettable: Ty Jerome, Grimes or McCain from Philly, Tyus Jones from the Suns… non-starters who would drastically improve our bench.

 

Putting a stake in the ground on this one, after giving it some thought: I think there's a major possibility HOU ends up acquiring Kyrie Irving this offseason, probably for Jalen Green. Why?

1. Dallas is tumbling quickly towards blowing it up. Nico's position is untenable, but he's AD & Kyrie's only link to Dallas.
   
   
2. Kyrie's has enormous leverage right now. Kyrie can walk now, or opt-in to $45M to rehab all year, then walk next summer.
   
   
3. Ime loves Kyrie. Stone has had real interest before. Kyrie is the profile of shot creator and elite shooter we want. Analytically elite. Underrated guard defender too. Fits with any lineup.
   
   
4. The ACL injury is a risk of course, but skill ages better than athleticism and Kyrie is as skilled as anyone ever. We know HOU can be a great regular season team without him, so if Kyrie could be healthy by next year's stretch run it's all good.

If Kyrie chooses us as his landing spot, Kyrie S&T for Jalen + Whitmore makes sense for all parties. We keep all our picks and other young players. I'd be down for it if Kyrie signed for something reasonable, like ~$140ish/3, since we'd be taking on the risk of paying him while he's rehabbing.

Some folks won't like it because of the personality or the injury -- both fair.

 

I got a trade I think everyone will sign up for.

Hypothetical - We end up with the #1 pick and Washington ends up with #2.

We draft Flagg #1.

We trade Jalen, Whitmore and future 1st to Washington for the #2 pick and draft Dylan Harper.

2025 - 2026 Roster
PG - Thompson __(#4) (6-7)______/ Sheppard (#3)
SG - Harper Jr. ___(#2) (6-6)______ / FA
SF - Smith Jr. _____(#3) (6-10) ____/ Brooks
PF - Flagg ________(#1) (6-9) _______/ Eason (#17)
..C - Sengun _____(#16) (6-11) ____/ Adams

 

You’re not getting the 2nd pick in the draft for basically nothing, that’s absurd